Coatings of acrylamide-based copolymers

ABSTRACT

An implantable device including conjugate formed of an acrylamide-based copolymer and a bioactive agent is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to acrylamide-based copolymers for coating an implantable device such as a drug delivery stent.

2. Description of the Background

Blood vessel occlusions are commonly treated by mechanically enhancing blood flow in the affected vessels, such as by employing a stent. Stents are used not only for mechanical intervention but also as vehicles for providing biological therapy. To effect a controlled delivery of an active agent in stent medication, the stent can be coated with a biocompatible polymeric coating. The biocompatible polymeric coating can function either as a permeable layer or a carrier to allow a controlled delivery of the agent.

The existing polymeric coating on a stent can have different types of limitations. For example, some poly(ester amide) based coatings can have poor mechanical properties so as to compromise coating integrity, and coating based on hydrophobic polymers can have problems in controlling release of a hydrophilic drug.

Therefore, there is a need for new carrier materials for controlled delivery of an agent.

The polymer and methods of making the polymer disclosed herein address the above described problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Poly(HPMA) is a hydrophilic polymer which has been used to conjugate a bioactive agents such as drugs, peptides and proteins. This conjugation can lead to increased circulation time in the bloodstream of these bioactive agents as well as these agents' uptake by the cellular endoplasm (Ulbrich K., et al., Advance in Experimental Medicine and Biology: Polymer Drugs in the Clinical Stage, 519:125-143 (2003).

Accordingly, provided in this invention is a coating on an implantable device, the coating comprising a acrylamide-based copolymer that can conjugate to a bioactive agent. The polymer can have a chosen degree of hydrophilicity by virtue of the presence of the hydroxy groups on the polymer backbone. The coating can have a topcoat or a drug matrix that includes the acrylamide-based copolymer described herein. In some embodiments, the acrylamide-based copolymer includes poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (poly(HPMA)).

The bioactive active agent can be conjugated to the acrylamide-based copolymer via a labile linker. The bioactive agent can be conjugated to the polymer by conjugation to functional groups (e.g., hydrophilic groups) on the copolymer. In some embodiments, the bioactive agent can be conjugated to the acrylamide-based copolymer via hydrophilic groups on the acrylamide-based copolymer.

The bioactive agents can be any drugs, peptides, proteins, or combinations thereof. Some examples of the bioactive agent include, but are not limited to, halofuginone, paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutases mimics, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, rapamycin derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N-1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (ABT-578), pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, midostaurin, clobetasol, mometasone, bioactive RGD, CD-34 antibody, abciximab (REOPRO), progenitor cell capturing antibody, prohealing drugs, prodrugs thereof, co-drugs thereof, or a combination thereof.

An implantable device having a coating described herein can be used to treat, prevent, or ameliorate a vascular medical condition. Some exemplary vascular medical conditions include atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, urethra obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof. For example, the implantable device can be planted within a tissue of a human being, e.g., in the blood vessel.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of forming a coating on the implantable device. The method comprises

providing a copolymer that comprises units derived from at least one acrylamide monomer,

providing a bioactive agent,

forming a conjugate of the bioactive agent and the copolymer, and

forming a coating comprising the conjugate on the implantable device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide] (Poly(HPMA)) is a hydrophilic polymer which has been used to conjugate a bioactive agents such as drugs, peptides and proteins. This conjugation can lead to increased circulation time in the bloodstream of these bioactive agents as well as these agents' uptake by the cellular endoplasm (Ulbrich K., et al., Advance in Experimental Medicine and Biology: Polymer Drugs in the Clinical Stage, 519:125-143 (2003).

Accordingly, provided in this invention is a coating on an implantable device, the coating comprising a acrylamide-based copolymer that can conjugate to a bioactive agent. The polymer can have a chosen degree of hydrophilicity by virtue of the presence of the hydroxy groups on the polymer backbone. The coating can have a topcoat or a drug matrix that includes the acrylamide-based copolymer described herein. In some embodiments, the acrylamide-based copolymer includes poly(HPMA).

The bioactive active agent can be conjugated to the acrylamide-based copolymer via a labile linker. The bioactive agent can be conjugated to the polymer by conjugation to functional groups (e.g., hydrophilic groups) on the copolymer. In some embodiments, the bioactive agent can be conjugated to the acrylamide-based copolymer via hydrophilic groups on the acrylamide-based copolymer.

The bioactive agents can be any drugs, peptides, proteins, or combinations thereof. Some examples of the bioactive agent include, but are not limited to, halofuginone, paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutases mimics, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, rapamycin derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N-1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (ABT-578), pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, midostaurin, clobetasol, mometasone, bioactive RGD, CD-34 antibody, abciximab (REOPRO), progenitor cell capturing antibody, prohealing drugs, prodrugs thereof, co-drugs thereof, or a combination thereof.

An implantable device having a coating described herein can be used to treat, prevent, or ameliorate a vascular medical condition. Some exemplary vascular medical conditions include atherosclerosis, thrombosis, restenosis, hemorrhage, vascular dissection or perforation, vascular aneurysm, vulnerable plaque, chronic total occlusion, claudication, anastomotic proliferation for vein and artificial grafts, bile duct obstruction, urethra obstruction, tumor obstruction, and combinations thereof. For example, the implantable device can be planted within a tissue of a human being, e.g., in the blood vessel.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of forming a coating on the implantable device. The method comprises

providing a copolymer that comprises units derived from at least one acrylamide monomer,

providing a bioactive agent,

forming a conjugate of the bioactive agent and the copolymer, and

forming a coating comprising the conjugate on the implantable device.

Acrylamide-Based Copolymer

The acrylamide-based copolymer can be formed of an acrylamide or methacrylamide monomer having a hydrophilic group. Preferably, the hydrophilic group is —OH, —SH, —COOH, —COO⁻Na⁺, or —COO⁻K⁺.

In some embodiments, the acrylamide monomer forming the acrylamide-based copolymer can be an acrylamide or methacrylamide having the structure of formula I:

wherein R₁ is CH₃ or H, and R₂ can be any group having at least one hydroxyl, thiol, amino or carboxyl group. Examples of R₂ can be short chain hydroxyalkyl groups, a peptide sequence, an alkyl chain, or a linker.

The acrylamide-based copolymer can have different molar ratios of monomers. Such molar ratios of monomers can be designated as n and m. These molar ratios can independently range from about 0.01 to about 0.99 and the total values of molar ratios n+m=1. Some examples of the molar ratios are about 0.05, about 0.1, about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, or about 0.95. Note, molar ratios of the monomers can affect the hydrophobicity of the copolymer. A higher ratio of hydrophobic monomers can result in a more hydrophobic copolymer, and vice versa. The hydrophobic nature of the copolymer can influence the release of a drug embedded, admixed, dissolved, or otherwise included in a matrix or coating including the copolymer.

The acrylamide-based copolymer can be formed by any established method of polymerization (see, e.g., Polymer Handbook, by Eric A. Grulke, Akihiro Abe, Daniel R. Bloch, and J. Brandrup (Eds), J&W Wiley, 2003). For example, the acrylamide-based copolymer can be formed by standard free radical copolymerization and controlled radical polymerization such as ATRP (T. E. Patten and K. Matyjaszewski, Adv. Mater. 10, (1998) pp. 901; K. Matyjaszewski and J. Xia, Chem. Rev. 101 (2001) pp. 2921; M. Kamigaito, T. Audo and M. Sawamoto Chem. Rev. 101 (2001) pp. 3689 and RAFT (reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer) J. Krstina et al., Macromolecules 28 (1995) pp. 5381; G. Moad et al., WO 96/15157 (1996); T. P. Le et al., WO 9801478/A1 (1998); J. Chiefari et al., Macromolecules 31 (1998) pp. 5559 The polymerization or copolymerization can be carried out sequentially to yield a block copolymer of concurrently to yield a random copolymer, depending on the desired properties of the copolymer. A general scheme of forming the acrylamide-based copolymer is shown in Scheme I:

In Scheme I, R₁ and R₂ are defined as those in Formula I. R₃ is CH₃ or H. R₄ is a straight or branched C1-C12 alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic group. R₄ can bear functional groups such as hydroxyl, alkoxy such as methoxy or ethoxy, thiol, carboxyl, NH, or other groups. Some examples of R₄ are CH₃, ethyl, propyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, butyl, or methoxyethyl. N and m are molar ratios of the two monomers and are independently from about 0.01 to about 0.99 and the total values of molar ratios n+m=1. Some examples of n and m are about 0.05, about 0.1, about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, or about 0.95. Z can be O or NH.

In some embodiments, the acrylamide monomer is N-(2-hydroxy propyl)methacrylamide (HPMA). HPMA can easily polymerize alone or copolymerize with other monomers such as acrylamide, acrylate or methacrylate monomers to form a HPMA copolymer. Therefore, HPMA can be used as a monomer to introduce a chosen degree of hydrophilicity into the backbone of the acrylamide-based copolymer by forming a copolymer(s) with other monomers. A general scheme forming the HPMA copolymer can be illustrated by the reaction in Scheme II below:

forming a HPMA-based copolymer having the general formula II

In Scheme II and Formula II, n and m are molar ratios of the two monomers forming the copolymer and can independently range from about 0.01 to about 0.99. Some examples of n and m values are about 0.05, about 0.1, about 0.2, about 0.3, about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.8, about 0.9, or about 0.95. R₅ and R₆ are independently CH₃ and H. R₇ is a straight or branched C1-C12 alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic group. R₇ can bear functional groups such as hydroxyl, alkoxy such as methoxy or ethoxy, thiol, carboxyl, NH, or other groups. Some examples of R₇ are CH₃, ethyl, propyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, butyl, or methoxyethyl. An example of the HPMA-based copolymer of formula II is where R₅ and R₆ are CH₃, and R₇ is methoxyethyl. This polymer is poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide-co-methoxyethyl methacrylate] (HPMA-co-MOEMA), which can be a random or block copolymer.

Linkers

Any biocompatible linker can be used to conjugate a bioactive agent to the hydrophilic group on a monomer forming the poly(HPMA)-based polymer or on the poly(HPMA)-based polymer itself. In some embodiments, the linker can be any linker having about 40 atoms or less. In some embodiments, the linker can include poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(alkylene oxide), C1-C12 short chain alkyl, C1-C12 short chain cycloalkyl, C1-C12 aryl, peptide, protein, oligomer of amino acids or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the linker is a labile linker. For example, such labile linker can include, e.g., a peptide sequence such as glycine-phenylalinine-leucine-glycine. Some other labile linkers include, but are not limited to, succinic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, dimethyl succinic anhydride, methyl glutaric anhydride, thioesters, disulfide bonds, PLA-, PLGA-, PCL-oligomers and other ester and anhydride linkages.

In some embodiments, the linker can include a vinyl group and can polymerize with HPMA or other monomers forming a poly(HPMA)-based copolymer having pendant linker molecules. The linker includes a free hydrophilic group (e.g., OH) for conjugation to a bioactive agent. Scheme III shows the formation of an example of a linker having PEG and a methacrylate group.

As shown in Scheme III, a linker, such as PEG, a peptide sequence or an alkyl chain, can include two functional groups (e.g., a free amine, hydroxyl, thiol, carboxyl), one functional group being reactive and the other one being protected by a protective group such as benzyl group. The reactive group can react with a reactive vinyl group (e.g., acryloyl halide or methacryloyl halide) to form a vinyl group terminated PEG. The protective group can subsequently be removed by a process such as hydrogenation (H₂ gas and Pd/C) to yield a free functional group. This linker vinyl molecule with a reactive terminal group can readily copolymerize with other acrylate, methacrylate or acrylamide monomers to form an acrylamide-based copolymer according to Scheme I, above.

Other examples of useable linkers include, but are not limited to, any biocompatible linker can be used to conjugate a bioactive agent to the hydrophilic group on a monomer forming the poly(HPMA)-based polymer or on the poly(HPMA)-based polymer itself. In some embodiments, the linker can be any linker having about 40 atoms or less. In some embodiments, the linker can include poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(alkylene oxide), C1-C12 short chain alkyl, C1-C12 short chain cycloalkyl, C1-C12 aryl, peptide, protein, oligomer of amino acids or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the linker is a labile linker. For example, such labile linkers can include, e.g., a peptide sequence such as glycine-phenylalinine-leucine-glycine. Some other labile linkers include, but are not limited to, succinic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, dimethyl succinic anhydride, methyl glutaric anhydride, thioesters, disulfide bonds, PLA-, PLGA-, PCL-oligomers and other ester and anhydride linkages.

Conjugation of Bioactive Agents

Any bioactive agent can be conjugated to the acrylamide-based copolymer. Conjugation can be achieved by binding force of any nature, e.g., hydrogen bonding, ionic interaction (e.g., ion pairs), interpenetrating network, or covalent chemical bonding. Preferably, the binding force between the bioactive agent and the acrylamide-based copolymer is covalent chemical bonding.

Conjugation of the bioactive agent to the acrylamide-based copolymer by chemical bonding can be carried out using any established coupling chemistry. For example, where the acrylamide-based copolymer or a linker attached thereto bears hydrophilic groups such as hydroxyl, amino or carboxylic groups, coupling the bioactive group and the hydrophilic groups can be readily achieved using EDC chemistry (see, e.g., Olde Damink L. H., et al., Biomaterials. 17(8):765-73 (1996)). Some other examples of coupling the bioactive agent to the hydrophilic groups via chemical bonding are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/857,141, the teaching of which is incorporated hereto in its entirety by reference.

Coating Construct

The acrylamide-based copolymer described herein can be used with or without a bioactive agent conjugated thereto. In some embodiments, the acrylamide-based copolymer can be used as a matrix including a bioactive agent or a topcoat on an implantable device to control the release of the bioactive agent (e.g., a drug) from the implantable device. In some embodiments, the acrylamide-based copolymer can form a topcoat on an implantable device as surface functionalization of the implantable device. The acrylamide-based copolymer can include a bioactive agent permanently bound thereto, the bioactive agent imparting beneficial surface biological properties to the implantable device. The matrix or topcoat can further include a biocompatible polymer other than the acrylamide-based copolymer (“biocompatible polymer”) described herein.

Release of the bioactive agent from the matrix or topcoat of the implantable device can proceed via several mechanisms, which vary according to the nature of the binding force between the bioactive agent and the acrylamide-based copolymer. For example, where the binding force between bioactive agent and the acrylamide-based copolymer is not covalent chemical bonding, the bioactive agent can diffuse out of the matrix or topcoat so as to release into the blood stream or a tissue of a human being who receives an implantable device having a matrix or topcoat described herein. Where the nature of binding between a bioactive agent and the acrylamide-based copolymer is covalent bonding via a labile linker, release of the bioactive agent can be achieved by degradation or disruption of the labile linker to cause the bioactive agent to release into the blood stream or a tissue of a human being who receives an implantable device having a matrix or topcoat described herein. Degradation or disruption of the labile linker can be achieved by enzymedic degradation or hydrolytic degradation of the labile linker.

Biocompatible Polymers

The acrylamide-based copolymer described herein can be used with other biocompatible polymers. The biocompatible polymer can be biodegradable (either bioerodable or bioabsorbable or both) or nondegradable and can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. Representative biocompatible polymers include, but are not limited to, poly(ester amide), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) such as poly(3-hydroxypropanoate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), poly(3-hydroxyvalerate), poly(3-hydroxyhexanoate), poly(3-hydroxyheptanoate) and poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate), poly(4-hydroxyalkanaote) such as poly(4-hydroxybutyrate), poly(4-hydroxyvalerate), poly(4-hydroxyhexanote), poly(4-hydroxyheptanoate), poly(4-hydroxyoctanoate) and copolymers including any of the 3-hydroxyalkanoate or 4-hydroxyalkanoate monomers described herein or blends thereof, poly(D,L-lactide), poly(L-lactide), polyglycolide, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide), polycaprolactone, poly(lactide-co-caprolactone), poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone), poly(dioxanone), poly(ortho esters), poly(anhydrides), poly(tyrosine carbonates) and derivatives thereof, poly(tyrosine ester) and derivatives thereof, poly(imino carbonates), poly(glycolic acid-co-trimethylene carbonate), polyphosphoester, polyphosphoester urethane, poly(amino acids), polycyanoacrylates, poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(iminocarbonate), polyphosphazenes, silicones, polyesters, polyolefins, polyisobutylene and ethylene-alphaolefin copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, vinyl halide polymers and copolymers, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl ethers, such as polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinylidene halides, such as polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl ketones, polyvinyl aromatics, such as polystyrene, polyvinyl esters, such as polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl monomers with each other and olefins, such as ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymers, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymers, ABS resins, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyamides, such as Nylon 66 and polycaprolactam, alkyd resins, polycarbonates, polyoxymethylenes, polyimides, polyethers, poly(glyceryl sebacate), poly(propylene fumarate), poly(n-butyl methacrylate), poly(sec-butyl methacrylate), poly(isobutyl methacrylate), poly(tert-butyl methacrylate), poly(n-propyl methacrylate), poly(isopropyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(methyl methacrylate), epoxy resins, polyurethanes, rayon, rayon-triacetate, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, cellulose propionate, cellulose ethers, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), copoly(ether-esters) (e.g. poly(ethylene oxide-co-lactic acid) (PEO/PLA)), polyalkylene oxides such as poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide), poly(ether ester), polyalkylene oxalates, phosphoryl choline containing polymer, choline, poly(aspirin), polymers and co-polymers of hydroxyl bearing monomers such as 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA), hydroxypropylmethacrylamide, PEG acrylate (PEGA), PEG methacrylate, methacrylate polymers containing 2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine (MPC) and n-vinyl pyrrolidone (VP), carboxylic acid bearing monomers such as methacrylic acid (MA), acrylic acid (AA), alkoxymethacrylate, alkoxyacrylate, and 3-trimethylsilylpropyl methacrylate (TMSPMA), poly(styrene-isoprene-styrene)-PEG (SIS-PEG), polystyrene-PEG, polyisobutylene-PEG, polycaprolactone-PEG (PCL-PEG), PLA-PEG, poly(methyl methacrylate)-PEG (PMMA-PEG), polydimethylsiloxane-co-PEG (PDMS-PEG), poly(vinylidene fluoride)-PEG (PVDF-PEG), PLURONIC™ surfactants (polypropylene oxide-co-polyethylene glycol), poly(tetramethylene glycol), hydroxy functional poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), molecules such as collagen, chitosan, alginate, fibrin, fibrinogen, cellulose, starch, dextran, dextrin, hyaluronic acid, fragments and derivatives of hyaluronic acid, heparin, fragments and derivatives of heparin, glycosamino glycan (GAG), GAG derivatives, polysaccharide, elastin, elastin protein mimetics, or combinations thereof. Some examples of elastin protein mimetics include (LGGVG)_(n), (VPGVG)_(n), Val-Pro-Gly-Val-Gly, or synthetic biomimetic poly(L-glytanmate)-b-poly(2-acryloyloxyethyllactoside)-b-poly(1-glutamate) triblock copolymer. Note, the term “mimetic” can be used interchangeably with the term “mimic.”

In some embodiments, the polymer can be poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), poly(methoxyethyl methacrylate), poly(dihydroxylpropyl methacrylate), polymethacrylamide, aliphatic polyurethane, aromatic polyurethane, nitrocellulose, poly(ester amide benzyl), co-poly-{[N,N′-sebacoyl-bis-(L-leucine)-1,6-hexylene diester]_(0.75)-[N,N′-sebacoyl-L-lysine benzyl ester]_(0.25)} (PEA-Bz), co-poly-{[N,N′-sebacoyl-bis-(L-leucine)-1,6-hexylene diester]_(0.75)-[N,N′-sebacoyl-L-lysine-4-amino-TEMPO amide]_(0.25)} (PEA-TEMPO), aliphatic polyester, aromatic polyester, fluorinated polymers such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), and Teflon™ (polytetrafluoroethylene), a biopolymer such as elastin mimetic protein polymer, star or hyper-branched SIBS (styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene), or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, where the polymer is a copolymer, it can be a block copolymer that can be, e.g., di-, tri-, tetra-, or oligo-block copolymers or a random copolymer. In some embodiments, the polymer can also be branched polymers such as star polymers.

In some embodiments, a coating having the features described herein can exclude any one of the aforementioned polymers.

As used herein, the terms poly(D,L-lactide), poly(L-lactide), poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), and poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) can be used interchangeably with the terms poly(D,L-lactic acid), poly(L-lactic acid), poly(D,L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), or poly(L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), respectively.

Bioactive Agents

Bioactive agents that can form a conjugation with the acrylamide-based copolymer described herein can include one or more bioactive agent(s), which can be therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic agent(s). These agents can have anti-proliferative or anti-inflammatory properties or can have other properties such as antineoplastic, antiplatelet, anti-coagulant, anti-fibrin, antithrombogenic, antimitotic, antibiotic, antiallergic, antifibrotic, and antioxidant. The agents can be cystostatic agents, agents that promote the healing of the endothelium such as NO releasing or generating agents, agents that attract endothelial progenitor cells, agents that promote the attachment, migration or proliferation of endothelial cells (e.g., natriuretic peptides such as CNP, ANP or BNP peptide or an RGD or cRGD peptide), while impeding smooth muscle cell proliferation. Examples of suitable therapeutic and prophylactic agents include synthetic inorganic and organic compounds, proteins and peptides, polysaccharides and other sugars, lipids, and DNA and RNA nucleic acid sequences having therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic activities. Some other examples of the bioactive agent include antibodies, receptor ligands, enzymes, adhesion peptides, blood clotting factors, inhibitors or clot dissolving agents such as streptokinase and tissue plasminogen activator, antigens for immunization, hormones and growth factors, oligonucleotides such as antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA (siRNA), small hairpin RNA (shRNA), aptamers, ribozymes and retroviral vectors for use in gene therapy. Examples of anti-proliferative agents include rapamycin and its functional or structural derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), and its functional or structural derivatives, paclitaxel and its functional and structural derivatives, as well as halofuginone which also has anti-fibrotic activity. Examples of rapamycin derivatives include 40-epi-(N-1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (ABT-578), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin. Examples of paclitaxel derivatives include docetaxel. Examples of antineoplastics and/or antimitotics include methotrexate, azathioprine, vincristine, vinblastine, fluorouracil, doxorubicin hydrochloride (e.g. Adriamycin® from Pharmacia & Upjohn, Peapack N.J.), and mitomycin (e.g. Mutamycin® from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Stamford, Conn.). Examples of such antiplatelets, anticoagulants, antifibrin, and antithrombins include sodium heparin, low molecular weight heparins, heparinoids, hirudin, argatroban, forskolin, vapiprost, prostacyclin and prostacyclin analogues, dextran, D-phe-pro-arg-chloromethylketone (synthetic antithrombin), dipyridamole, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet membrane receptor antagonist antibody, recombinant hirudin, thrombin inhibitors such as Angiomax (Biogen, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.), calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine), colchicine, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) antagonists, fish oil (omega 3-fatty acid), histamine antagonists, lovastatin (an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, a cholesterol lowering drug, brand name Mevacor® from Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J.), monoclonal antibodies (such as those specific for Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) receptors), nitroprusside, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, prostaglandin inhibitors, suramin, serotonin blockers, steroids, thioprotease inhibitors, triazolopyrimidine (a PDGF antagonist), nitric oxide or nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutase mimetic, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), estradiol, anticancer agents, dietary supplements such as various vitamins, and a combination thereof. Examples of anti-inflammatory agents including steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents include tacrolimus, dexamethasone, clobetasol, mometasone, or combinations thereof. Examples of cytostatic substances include angiopeptin, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such as captopril (e.g. Capoten® and Capozide® from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Stamford, Conn.), cilazapril or lisinopril (e.g. Prinivil® and Prinzide® from Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J.). An example of an antiallergic agent is permirolast potassium. Other therapeutic substances or agents which can be appropriate include alpha-interferon, pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, midostaurin, bioactive RGD, SIKVAV peptides, elevating agents such as cANP or cGMP peptides, and genetically engineered endothelial cells. The foregoing substances can also be used in the form of prodrugs or co-drugs thereof. The foregoing substances also include metabolites thereof and/or prodrugs of the metabolites. The foregoing substances are listed by way of example and are not meant to be limiting. Other active agents which are currently available or that may be developed in the future are equally applicable.

The dosage or concentration of the bioactive agent required to produce a favorable therapeutic effect should be less than the level at which the bioactive agent produces toxic effects and greater than non-therapeutic levels. The dosage or concentration of the bioactive agent can depend upon factors such as the particular circumstances of the patient, the nature of the trauma, the nature of the therapy desired, the time over which the administered ingredient resides at the vascular site, and if other active agents are employed, the nature and type of the substance or combination of substances. Therapeutically effective dosages can be determined empirically, for example by infusing vessels from suitable animal model systems and using immunohistochemical, fluorescent or electron microscopy methods to detect the agent and its effects, or by conducting suitable in vitro studies. Standard pharmacological test procedures to determine dosages are understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Examples of Implantable Device

As used herein, an implantable device can be any suitable medical substrate that can be implanted in a human or veterinary patient. Examples of such implantable devices include self-expandable stents, balloon-expandable stents, stent-grafts, grafts (e.g., aortic grafts), heart valve prostheses, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, electrodes, pacemaker electrodes, catheters, sensors, endocardial leads (e.g., FINELINE and ENDOTAK, available from Guidant Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif.), anastomotic devices and connectors, orthopedic implants such as screws, spinal implants, and electro-stimulatory devices. The underlying structure of the device can be of virtually any design. The device can be made of a metallic material or an alloy such as, but not limited to, cobalt chromium alloy (ELGILOY), stainless steel (316L), high nitrogen stainless steel, e.g., BIODUR 108, cobalt chrome alloy L-605, “MP35N,” “MP20N,” ELASTINITE (Nitinol), tantalum, nickel-titanium alloy, platinum-iridium alloy, gold, magnesium, or combinations thereof. “MP35N” and “MP20N” are trade names for alloys of cobalt, nickel, chromium and molybdenum available from Standard Press Steel Co., Jenkintown, Pa. “MP35N” consists of 35% cobalt, 35% nickel, 20% chromium, and 10% molybdenum. “MP20N” consists of 50% cobalt, 20% nickel, 20% chromium, and 10% molybdenum. Devices made from bioabsorbable or biostable polymers or bioabsorbable metals such as magnesium could also be used with the embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the device is a bioabsorbable stent.

Method of Use

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, an implantable device having a coating that includes the acrylamide-based copolymer described herein can be used for treating, preventing or ameliorating a medical condition. Preferably, the implantable device is a stent. The stent described herein is useful for a variety of medical procedures, including, by way of example, treatment of obstructions caused by tumors in bile ducts, esophagus, trachea/bronchi and other biological passageways. A stent having the above-described coating is particularly useful for treating diseased regions of blood vessels caused by lipid deposition, monocyte or macrophage infiltration, or dysfunctional endothelium or a combination thereof, or occluded regions of blood vessels caused by abnormal or inappropriate migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, thrombosis, and restenosis. Stents can be placed in a wide array of blood vessels, both arteries and veins. In some embodiments, the device described herein can be in dialysis, as grafts, or fistulae.

Representative examples of sites include the iliac, renal, carotid and coronary arteries.

For implantation of a stent, an angiogram is first performed to determine the appropriate positioning for stent therapy. An angiogram is typically accomplished by injecting a radiopaque contrasting agent through a catheter inserted into an artery or vein as an x-ray is taken. A guidewire is then advanced through the lesion or proposed site of treatment. Over the guidewire is passed a delivery catheter which allows a stent in its collapsed configuration to be inserted into the passageway. The delivery catheter is inserted either percutaneously or by surgery into the femoral artery, brachial artery, femoral vein, or brachial vein, and advanced into the appropriate blood vessel by steering the catheter through the vascular system under fluoroscopic guidance. A stent having the above-described features can then be expanded at the desired area of treatment. A post-insertion angiogram can also be utilized to confirm appropriate positioning.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. An implantable device comprising a coating, the coating comprising a conjugate of a bioactive agent and a copolymer that comprises

wherein R1 and R3 are independently CH3 or H; wherein R2 comprises a group having at least one hydroxyl, thiol, amino or carboxyl group; wherein R4 is a straight or branched C1-C12 alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic group; wherein n and m are independently from about 0.01 to about 0.99, with a proviso that n+m=1; and wherein Z is O or NH.
 2. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the conjugate comprises covalent bonding between the bioactive agent and the copolymer.
 3. The implantable device of claim 2, wherein the conjugate further comprises a linker.
 4. The implantable device of claim 2, wherein the conjugate further comprises poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), an alkyl chain, or a peptide sequence.
 5. The implantable device of claim 4, wherein the peptide sequence comprises glycine-phenylalinine-leucine-glycine.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein R₂ comprises PEG, a short alkyl chain or a peptide sequence.
 8. The implantable device of claim 7, wherein the peptide sequence comprises glycine-phenylalinine-leucine-glycine.
 9. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the copolymer has a formula of

wherein R₅ and R₆ are independently CH₃ or H; wherein R₇ is a straight or branched C1-C12 alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic group; and wherein n and m are independently from about 0.01 to about 0.99, with a proviso that n+m=1.
 10. The implantable device of claim 9, wherein the copolymer is poly[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide-co-methoxyethyl methacrylate] (HPMA-co-MOEMA).
 11. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the copolymer is a random or block copolymer.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The implantable device of claim 9, wherein the copolymer is a random or block copolymer.
 14. The implantable device of claim 1, which is a stent.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The implantable device of claim 9, which is a stent.
 17. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of halofuginone, paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, 17-beta-estradiol, nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutase mimics, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, rapamycin derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N-1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (ABT-578), γ-hiridun, clobetasol, mometasone, pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, or midostaurin, or prodrugs, co-drugs, or combinations of these.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The implantable device of claim 9, wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of halofuginone, paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, 17-beta-estradiol, nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutase mimics, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, rapamycin derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N-1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (ABT-578), γ-hiridun, clobetasol, mometasone, pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, or midostaurin, or prodrugs, co-drugs, or combinations of these.
 20. The implantable device of claim 14, wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of halofuginone, paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, 17-beta-estradiol, nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutase mimics, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, rapamycin derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N-1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (ABT-578), γ-hiridun, clobetasol, mometasone, pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, or midostaurin, or prodrugs, co-drugs, or combinations of these.
 21. (canceled)
 22. The implantable device of claim 16, wherein the bioactive agent is selected from the group consisting of halofuginone, paclitaxel, docetaxel, estradiol, 17-beta-estradiol, nitric oxide donors, super oxide dismutases, super oxide dismutase mimics, 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (4-amino-TEMPO), tacrolimus, dexamethasone, rapamycin, rapamycin derivatives, 40-O-(2-hydroxy)ethyl-rapamycin (everolimus), 40-O-(3-hydroxy)propyl-rapamycin, 40-O-[2-(2-hydroxy)ethoxy]ethyl-rapamycin, and 40-O-tetrazole-rapamycin, 40-epi-(N-1-tetrazolyl)-rapamycin (ABT-578), γ-hiridun, clobetasol, mometasone, pimecrolimus, imatinib mesylate, or midostaurin, or prodrugs, co-drugs, or combinations of these.
 23. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a layer of matrix comprising the copolymer and the bioactive agent.
 24. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a topcoat comprising the copolymer and the bioactive agent.
 25. A method of forming a coating on an implantable device, comprising: providing a copolymer that comprises

wherein R1 and R3 are independently CH3 or H; wherein R2 comprises a group having at least one hydroxyl, thiol, amino or carboxyl group; wherein R4 is a straight or branched C1-C12 alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic group; wherein n and m are independently from about 0.01 to about 0.99, with a proviso that n+m=1; and wherein Z is O or NH, providing a bioactive agent, forming a conjugate of the bioactive agent and the copolymer, and forming a coating comprising the conjugate on the implantable device.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the conjugate comprises covalent bonding between the bioactive agent and the copolymer.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the conjugate further comprises a linker.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the conjugate further comprises poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), an alkyl chain, or a peptide sequence.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the peptide sequence comprises glycine-phenylalinine-leucine-glycine.
 30. (canceled)
 31. The method of claim 25, wherein R₂ comprises PEG, a short alkyl chain or a peptide sequence.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the peptide sequence comprises glycine-phenylalinine-leucine-glycine.
 33. The method of claim 25, wherein the copolymer has a formula of

wherein R₅ and R₆ are independently CH₃ or H; wherein R₇ is a straight or branched C1-C12 alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocyclic group; and wherein n and m are independently from about 0.01 to about 0.99, with a proviso that n+m=1.
 34. A method of treating, preventing or ameliorating a medical condition, comprising applying to a human being the composition of claim
 17. 35. (canceled) 